A Hot time at the Garde with the Hot Club of Detroit

Published January 31. 2013 12:01AM

Titular homage is a curious thing. The Beatles so named themselves in an affectionate entomological pun on Buddy Holly's Crickets.

Consider, then, the legacy and influence of the Quintette du Hot Club de France - a breathtakingly original jazz/swing outfit formed in 1934 and headed up by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. In present times, bands borrowing the introductory "Hot Club" are popping up like Appleby's franchises.

First we had the Hot Club of Cowtown, an incredible act although, despite the suggestion of the name, its musicians are NOT from Fort Worth.

There's also Hot Club of Detroit - ah, they're not from Detroit, either - whose inventive and incendiary lineup of reeds, twin guitars, accordion and upright bass explores the gypsy and French jazz traditions in eloquent and unexpected fashion.

Hot Club of Detroit plays tonight in the intimate Oasis Room of New London's Garde Arts Center. Their latest CD, called "Junction," features sublime vocalist Cyrille Aimee on three tracks. Though Aimee won't appear on this date, the core band is an all-world act more than worthy of the "Hot Club" tag.